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Andy Roeser to run Clippers after Donald Sterling ban

Los Angeles Clippers President Andy Roeser will take over day-to-day operations of the franchise in the wake of owner Donald Sterling's lifetime ban, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports.

Los Angeles Clippers President Andy Roeser will take over day-to-day operations of the franchise in the wake of owner Donald Sterling's lifetime ban, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

Roeser has held the team president role since 1986, handling team and business operations. He joined the Clippers in 1984 after working for the accounting firm Ernst & Young.

The Clippers sent out a statement Tuesday, after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the ban and maximum fine of $2.5 million levied against Sterling.

"We wholeheartedly support and embrace the decision by the NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver today," the unattributed statement said. "Now the healing process begins."

Silver said blame and penalties for the remarks would fall squarely on Sterling and not as a comment on his family or other Clippers employees. But he also said he would push owners to force Sterling to sell the team.

The Clippers will hold a news conference at 5:45 p.m. PT before the team hosts the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.

VIDEO: Silver bans Sterling for life

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced Clippers owner Donald Sterling's punishment, which included banning him for life from the NBA and a $2.5 million fine.

Roeser previously released a statement on the audio recording of Sterling, released by TMZ.

"We have heard the tape on TMZ," Roeser said Saturday in the news release. "We do not know if it is legitimate or it has been altered. We do know that the woman on the tape — who we believe released it to TMZ — is the defendant in a lawsuit brought by the Sterling family alleging that she embezzled more than $1.8 million, who told Mr. Sterling that she would 'get even.' Mr. Sterling is emphatic that what is reflected on that recording is not consistent with, nor does it reflect his views, beliefs or feelings. It is the antithesis of who he is, what he believes and how he has lived his life. He feels terrible that such sentiments are being attributed to him and apologizes to anyone who might have been hurt by them. He is also upset and apologizes for sentiments attributed to him about Earvin Johnson. He has long considered Magic a friend and has only the utmost respect and admiration for him — both in terms of who he is and what he has achieved. We are investigating this matter."

GALLERY: Sterling through the years

Longtime Clippers owner Donald Sterling, shown in 2010, has been banned by the NBA. Flip through this gallery for more of Sterling. (Photo: Mark J. Terrill, AP)

Sterling and former GM Elgin Baylor pose after Baylor, who later sued the team for wrongful termination, won the 2005-06 NBA Executive of the Year Award. (Photo: Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE/Getty Images)